5.0PRESENTATIONMr. Dwayne Jones,Director, Mayor’s Office of Communities of Opportunity (COO) thanked the Commission for the opportunity to present. Mr. Jones presented on a new initiative called Communities of Opportunity co-designed with BVHP and Visitation Valley residents. The Communities of Opportunity initiative is a system developed to work collectively and integrate 13 different city departments to create a business plan in the area of economic development, housing, and social services.

Mr. Jones reported to date, COO has held 50 meetings with 350 residents in the creation of the plan looking at social networks and how they are tied together. Mr. Jones stated three years ago the Dept. of Human Services conducted a seven-corner

study, which determined the majority of families with the biggest issues live within either the Bayview or Visitation Valley districts.

Mr. Jones stated this initiative is in its pilot phase for the Southeast sector and will expand over the next 5 to 6 years to include the Western Addition, Tenderloin, Potrero Hill, Mission, and Chinatown districts. The pilot phase will focus on the four public housing developments in the community.

Mr. Jones noted that approximately $100 million a year has been spent focusing on isolated issues that have not been resolved. For that reason, accountability must take place on government’s side and delegate agencies must be held accountable for outcomes.

Mr. Jones said the pilot phase would start with 2600 families who are the most disconnected, and the major challenge to be addressed will be individuals living below the poverty line.

In referencing the material previously disbursed, Mr. Jones discussed statistics of unemployment, health, safety, and school dropout rates among youth. He stated COO has developed a system to fill the gaps and work to address those issues.

Mr. Jones updated the Commission on the newly constructed Alice Griffith project completed within a 4-month period and reviewed the list of programs that have been co-designed with the residents. He commented on the Appropriate Social Service Infrastructure Development (ASSID), which is a process that works with the Neighborhood Benefit Organization (NBO) to facilitate the development of new projects and/or organizations to fill current/projected gaps in social service delivery systems.

Mr. Jones concluded by expressing his enthusiasm to oversee a process that will tie everything together and put things into action.

Commissioner Brown asked how COO was able to identify problems such as a 60% unemployment rate.

Mr. Jones said much of the data originated from the Project Connect report, which indicated how concentrated the level of poverty/unemployment was in specific developments.

Commissioner Kennedy suggested the plan should also focus on a way to prevent young men specifically in the BVHP district from being wrongly charged with felony arrests. Mr. Jones stated those issues would be addressed on the systems reform track where individuals could access appropriate information to remove barriers through the Opportunity Centers, Clean Slate program, and other legal programs. Mr. Jones also noted that approximately 150 individuals have already gone through the first phase of Communities of Opportunity and become employed with the city.

Commissioner Fuentes referencing Mayor Newsom’s quote, “Monumental change will happen in 5 years”, voiced concern for the individuals who will not be able to wait. He asked how will the change in public housing be address and will those individuals be affected by gentrification.

Mr. Jones stated the first development to be rebuilt in 2008 would be Hunters View. He went on to explain that because of the vacancy rate in public housing, a phased development would be implemented with no relocation. He stated change is happening now but the cumulative impact would come online in 5 years. He also added that COO plans to ensure 350 individuals are hired every year.Commissioner Parker asked how would COO receive recognition for its work. Mr. Jones explained COO along with the residents have developed a membership card that will identify individuals who were previously engaged in the process as well as identify COO projects. Additionally, the Mayor has asked that a community dashboard be created which would rate the project every 6 months and hold COO accountable and the residents.

Dir. Moses voiced concern about employment retention as it relates to substance abuse and suggested that that topic be included in the business plan. He also explained that childcare programs under Commission jurisdiction are struggling to survive due to lack of funding and suggested that also be addressed together with homeowner retention by seniors in the BVHP.

Regarding substance abuse, Mr. Jones stated the Dept. of Public Health is in the process of revamping the entire way they address issues around substance abuse. Regarding employment retention, the NBO will address that through case management. Mr. Jones stated retention of senior homeowners tends to be a challenge however, whenever possible COO will make seniors aware of the network developed through partnerships with faith-based institutions that will notify the community of upcoming properties for sale. Mr. Jones also mentioned that predatory lending involving the senior population and homeownership is a big concern.

Mr. Jones stated as early as July 1st there will be an increase in allocation of funds around childcare. Commissioner Brown interjected and asked whether the allocation would be per site. Mr. Jones explained at times the allocation is tied to a particular organization by how aggressive the director of the childcare center is. He assured that COO would inform centers of increase funding opportunities and guide them on how to clarify their needs.

Commissioner Jones commented that Mr. Jones has identified the important components, i.e., accountability/timelines and expressed her appreciation for the presentation.

Commissioner Kennedy expressed her appreciation for the presentation and offered the Commission’s assistance if needed.

Ms. Chiquita Tuttle asked whether the metric instrument used to measure COO’s success would be made available to the public. Mr. Jones stated that it would. Ms. Westly-Smith asked whether there would be administrative opportunities for male job seekers. Mr. Jones stated there were not as many administrative opportunities created largely because COO felt there was a skill gap, which they ultimately realized was not as extreme as once thought.

Mr. Jones concluded by informing the Commission that the 1030 Oakdale site would be a temporary opportunities center until a permanent opportunities center could be built at that location. Mr. Jones also acknowledged Dir. Moses for all his help in getting the site ready.

7.0DIRECTOR’S REPORT

ØDirector Moses reported:

a.There are no anticipated cuts to the budget by PUC. He reminded that he would need advocates for the budget when it goes before the Board of Supervisors.

b.A scaled-down painting of the SECF Beautification mural is complete. Once Commissioner Kennedy has reviewed it, she will report back to the Commission.

8.0INTRODUCTION OF NEW BUSINESS BY COMMISSIONERS:Commissioner Person expressed displeasure that no one from the Mayor’s Office had notified him he had not been reappointed to the Commission, which he just learned of tonight. Commissioner Brown explained that the Commission is not privy to the reappointment process and stated she would contact the Mayor’s Office to inquire as to why no notification was given.

9.0PUBLIC COMMENT:Mr. Tuttle stated she wanted to acknowledge and thank Commissioner Kennedy for holding the Facility Committee meeting earlier this month to address surveillance/security issues. She asked whether there has been a resolution on the issues. Dir. Moses stated once staff has received all information that was requested, they will be in contact with WYCDC. The Director also reminded Ms. Tuttle to submit the list of individuals she wishes to grant security code access.

10.0ANNOUNCEMENTS:Commissioner Jones requested to be excused from the upcoming February 8th meeting.